Young Black men in their 20s are dying at an unacceptable rate in Baltimore’s black butterfly.  Based on the clearance rate from the Baltimore City police department, we know that very few of the victim’s families will see justice.  Killers will never be arrested; much less be prosecuted.  We hear about “thoughts and prayers” from politicians who after every high-profile shooting try to remake themselves into concerned uncles and pastors.  But we know that there is very little that these politicians can do and very little that they actually want to do.

The breakdown of the family has contributed greatly to the increase in poverty and crime in Baltimore.  The role of the Black church has diminished from once being a pillar of the Black community to now being an outlet for second-hand food and clothing and a Sunday morning club for middle class grandmas.

 

We must support and fund our police.  We must support legal gun ownership and basic firearms training for all who want it.  “I Back The Blue”, however we need to do more to protect our neighborhood than just fund the police.  Neighborhoods must partner with the police.  Police must be part of the local solution to crime and poverty.

 

We can do better.  We must do better for our future.